China rejects US Ambassador nominee Thompson's claim that Nepal ratified MCC in the face of Beijing's 'disinformation campaign'

Published On: July 15, 2022 04:45 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, July 15: China has rejected the claim of the US Ambassador Nominee Dean R. Thomson that Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact was ratified by Nepal in the face of China's 'disinformation campaign'.

A Spokesperson at the Embassy of China in Kathmandu on Friday said that the remarks of Ambassador-nominee Thompson are baseless. "They have not only slandered China, but also offended Nepal and its people. It is a true “disinformation”. China firmly rejects it," said the Spokesperson in a press note on Friday.

In his opening statement before the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee in the course of his hearing on Wednesday, the US Ambassador-nominee Thompson had claimed that Nepal's parliament ratified the $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in February despite a 'disinformation campaign' launched by China.

The Spokesperson said that it is well known that the MCC Compact between Nepal and the United States sparked heated debates in Nepal. "The Nepali parliament specially passed an "interpretive declaration", which declares that the Constitution of Nepalshall prevail over the Compact and other associated agreements and that being a party to the Compact, Nepal shall not be a part of any United States' strategy, military or security alliance including the Indo-Pacific Strategy," said the Spokesperson. "These are legitimate actions of the Nepali government and people to defend their sovereignty and independence and safeguard national interests."

The Spokesperson also said that it is China’s consistent belief that in pursuing international development cooperation, the principle of mutual respect and equality should be upheld, the sovereignty of the country concerned and the will of its people should be fully respected, and there should be no interference in any country’s domestic affairs, no political strings attached, no coercive diplomacy, and certainly no infringement on other countries’ sovereignty and interests for selfish gains.

"As Nepal’s friendly close neighbor and development partner, China will continue to support Nepal in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national interests and support the Nepali people in choosing independently their own development path and offer support and assistance to Nepal’s socio economic development to the best of its capability," added the spokesperson.